10/29/2009 7:25:02 AM

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This Halloween -- the delicious holiday of all things candy -- your family is invited to a live performance of "The Chocolate Factory" -- a delectable story about all things candy. The Children's Dance Theatre production features 55 dancers (youth ages 5 to 18) accompanied by the Honors Choirs of Southeast Minnesota (students grades 10 through 12) and a live orchestra. Through music and dance, they tell a story inspired by the Roald Dahl classic, "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory."

"It's inspired by the book and the movies. Kids will definitely identify with each of the principal characters," says Cindy Hansel, a volunteer with the Children's Dance Theatre.

The Children's Dance Theatre was founded in 1987. The Rochester-based nonprofit organization is not a dance studio, but rather a dance theater that invites all young dance students (from any area dance studio) to participate in their open auditions. CDT typically performs one major production a year, often inviting other local youth arts associations to team up on the productions. And during their downtime, CDT often lends its talents to other youth-serving organizations -- CDT dancers will perform at the Bella Voce Young Women's Choir's "A Bella Christmas Concert" in December.

"That's one of things we're really thrilled about, the different arts that we have been able to pull together in this production. To go to a theater show with live music and a live orchestra is just terrific," says Hansel, who has two dancers in the show. "We're really building relationships working together."

The show runs approximately 90 minutes and is appropriate for all ages. Tickets $12 in advance or $14 at the door.

If you go

What: "The Chocolate Factory"

Where: Mayo Civic Center, 30 Civic Center Dr., S.E.

When: Friday, Oct. 30 (7 p.m.); Saturday, Oct. 31 (1 p.m. and 4 p.m.); Sunday, Nov. 1 (1 p.m. and 4 p.m.)

Phone: 328-2222

On the Web: www.rochesterchildrensdancetheatre.com; vwww.honorschoirs.org; www.singoutloud.org; www.mayociviccenter.com

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Upcoming family-friendly performances

• Allegro School of Dance and Music puts a new twist on a familiar story with the upcoming "Clara's Nutcracker Dream." Friday, Nov. 27 (4 p.m. and 7 p.m.) and Saturday, Nov. 28 (1 p.m. and 4 p.m.) at the Mayo Civic Center, www.mayociviccenter.com. Tickets $19 and $20. www.allegrodancemusic.com.

• Rochester Dance Company brings a holiday classic to the stage with this season's, "The Nutcracker." Saturday, Dec. 12 (1 p.m. and 4 p.m.) and Sunday, Dec. 13 (2 p.m.) at the Mayo Civic Center, www.mayociviccenter.com. Tickets $15 and $18. www.rochesterdancecompany.com/performances_events.htm.

• Words Players brings an original adaptation of the Dickens' classic "A Christmas Carol" to the historic Mayowood Stone Barn. Dec. 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19 (7 p.m.; adults, $20 and students, $15) and Dec. 5, 12, 13, 19 (2 p.m.; adults, $12 and students, $7). www.northlandwords.org/wordsplayers/christmascarol.htm.

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It's gonna be great

Gear up for a great time at Thursday's Great Country Pumpkin Party. Kids with special needs and their parents (or other favorite big person) will trick-or-treat, play games, win prizes and enjoy a magic show.

Free and open to families with kids of all ages. No registration required. Costumes encouraged. All activities held indoors in an accessible environment.

If you go

What: Great Country Pumpkin Party

Where: Country Inn & Suites, 77 Woodlake Drive S.E.

When: 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29

Phone: 287-6758

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Mingling for mentoring

Raise your glass at Friday's 19th Annual Pre-Holiday Wine Tasting. Moms and dads will enjoy hot and cold appetizers, live music, a silent auction and a varied selection of wines from all over the world.

Appropriate for the adults in the family only, the event benefits the Y Mentors program, a community-based mentoring program that matches adult volunteers with Olmsted County school age youth.

Tickets available at the door for $25 per person.

If you go

What: Andy's Liquor's 19th Annual Pre-Holiday Wine Tasting

Where: Doubletree Hotel, 150 S. Broadway

When: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30

Phone: 287-2260

On the Web: www.rochfamy.org

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Party time

There's lots of Halloween fun to be found at Saturday's Great Pumpkin Party. Kids of all ages will enjoy pumpkin carving, a costume contest and free food and prizes followed by a showing of "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown."

Free. No registration. Costumes encouraged.

If you go

What: Great Pumpkin Party

Where: Christ United Methodist Church, 400 Fifth Ave. S.W.

When: 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. (party); 3:30 p.m. (movie), Saturday, Oct. 31

Phone: 289-4019

On the Web: www.cumethodist.com

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Historical Hallowe'en

Celebrate Halloween the old-fashioned way, with an apostrophe, at the History Center of Olmsted County's Historical Hallowe'en on Saturday. Families will enjoy a pre-World War II Halloween party complete with fortune telling witches, ghosts, scarecrows, a corn maze and a haunted schoolhouse. Kids of all ages will also enjoy crafts, games, a scavenger hunt, an old-fashioned hay ride and pumpkin painting.

Adults, $5; kids, $2. Costumes encouraged.

If you go

What: Historical Hallowe'en

Where: 1195 West Circle Drive S.W.

When: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31

Phone: 282-9447

On the Web: www.olmstedhistory.com

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This party wants you

Calling all military families to Friday's Halloween Party for Military Families. Fun for the entire family, there'll be candy, face painting, games, prizes, snacks, magicians, clowns and a costume contest.

Open to all military families, current and veteran. Free. Call to register.

If you go

What: Halloween Party for Military Families

Where: RCTC Heintz Center, 1926 Collegeview Road E.

When: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30

Phone: 993-0815

Family Time is written by Lindy Lange, editor of www.ROCHESTERfamilies.com. Up next, historic Mayowood Mansion gets all dressed up in its holiday finest for the annual Christmas Tours.

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